The Royal Navy is making history today by launching its first-ever official darts championship in Portsmouth. This landmark event will crown the Navy’s top darts player, who will then qualify for ‘Operation Bullseye’ in July – a major inter-services tournament featuring professional players. More importantly, Operation Bullseye is dedicated to raising crucial funds for Healing Military Minds, a charity supporting the mental health of military personnel and veterans. It’s a powerful combination of sport, camaraderie, and vital fundraising.
Royal Navy Darts Championship Kicks Off
For the first time ever, the Royal Navy will officially crown its very own darts champion. A remarkable **96 players are set to compete** at the Phoenix Darts Club in Waterlooville, vying to etch their names into Royal Navy sporting history. This isn’t just a one-off event; it signifies the **formal growth of organised darts within the Royal Navy**, establishing a clear path for those who excel in the sport’s unique blend of competition, teamwork, and mental focus.
The Road to ‘Operation Bullseye’
Today’s winner will not only claim the coveted Royal Navy title but will also **automatically qualify for ‘Operation Bullseye’ in July**. This larger event brings together top military darts talent from across the Armed Forces – the Royal Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force – to compete against each other.
Operation Bullseye promises an exciting lineup, featuring a host of current and former professional darts stars. Spectators can look forward to seeing:
- Glen Durrant
- Chris Dobey
- Alan Soutar
- Ricky Evans
- Scott Williams
- Deta Hedman
Adding to the professional atmosphere, experienced referees Russ Bray and Huw Ware will be overseeing all the action.
More Than Just Darts: Supporting Mental Health
Crucially, ‘Operation Bullseye’ is about much more than just hitting the bullseye. **The main July event is a dedicated fundraiser for Healing Military Minds**, a charity committed to supporting serving personnel, veterans, and their families who are affected by mental health challenges.
Healing Military Minds plays a vital role by:
- Improving access to care and resources.
- Funding specialist treatment for those in need.
- Promoting early intervention for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
By bringing together the excitement of sport with critical fundraising efforts, Operation Bullseye helps generate essential resources while simultaneously working to **break down the stigma surrounding mental health within the Armed Forces community.**
How to Get Involved
You can attend the Royal Navy Darts Championship today at the Phoenix Darts Club to support the players. For those interested in the larger July event, **tickets for Operation Bullseye are still available**, promising a unique evening of elite darts and military camaraderie.
If you’re a serving member of the armed forces or a veteran and aspire to qualify for Operation Bullseye, there’s still time! A series of **regional qualifiers will run through to the end of May** in various locations:
- Newport (Wales)
- Dunbar
- Belfast
- Catterick
- Barnstaple
- RAF Boulmer
- Sleaford
Please note: These qualifying events are exclusively open to either serving personnel or veterans. Whether you’re aiming for top competition or proudly representing your unit, the opportunity to participate remains open.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
